Docusign Envelope ID: 924B068B-8E04-4E6B-A82C-A2559F15F0DD City of Capitola
City Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, March 13, 2025 – 6:00 PM
City Council Chambers
420 Capitola Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010
Mayor: Joe Clarke
Vice Mayor: Alexander Pedersen
Council Members: Gerry Jensen, Margaux Morgan, Melinda Orbach Regular Meeting of the Capitola City Council – 6 PM
1. Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance – The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. In attendance: Council Members Jensen, Morgan, Orbach, Vice Mayor Pedersen, and Mayor Clarke.
2. Additions and Deletions to the Agenda – The City Manager requested to switch the order of Items 8C and 8D.
3. Presentations
A. Mayor Clarke presented a Proclamation Honoring March 2025 as American Red Cross Month to Cherie Robideaux, Board Member for the Central Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross.
4. Additional Materials
A. Item 8A – 36 emails received after publication of the agenda packet.
B. Item 8B – 6 emails received after publication of the agenda packet.
C. Item 8C – 3 emails received after publication of the agenda packet.
D. Item 8D – 2 emails received after publication of the agenda packet.
5. Oral Communications by Members of the Public
Clark Cochran
Speaker
Sean Shrum
6. Staff / City Council Comments
Council Member Jensen inquired about the budget process.
Council Member Orbach provided updates from her attendance at recent METRO and AMBAG meetings; and provided a response to constituent comments.
7. Consent Items
A. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action: Approve minutes from the special meeting on February 26, 2025 and the regular meeting on February 27, 2025.
B. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Calendar
Recommended Action: Approve the Budget Meeting Calendar for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26.
C. Lease with MRA Sales, Inc.
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City Council Meeting Minutes – March 13, 2025
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to sign a three-year lease agreement between the City of Capitola and MRA Sales, Inc. for concessionary beach services at Esplanade Park, for a total revenue of $6,399.
D. FY 2023-24 Audit Report
Recommended Action: Receive a report on the FY 2023-24 annual audit. (Pulled for discussion by Council Member Jensen)
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar: Council Member Morgan Second: Council Member Orbach
Council Member Jensen requested to pull Item 8D for discussion.
Motion to approve Consent Items 8A – 8C: Council Member Morgan Second: Council Member Orbach
Voting Yea: Council Members Jensen, Morgan, Orbach, Vice Mayor Pedersen, Mayor Clarke
D. FY 2023-24 Audit Report
Recommended Action: Receive a report on the FY 2023-24 annual audit.
Council Member Jensen congratulated staff on the City’s record of receiving government finance awards.
Finance Department Director Malberg provided clarification on the FY 2023-24 Audit and on prior fiscal year encumbrances.
Motion to approve Item 8D: Council Member Morgan
Second: Council Member Jensen
Voting Yea: Council Members Jensen, Morgan, Orbach, Vice Mayor Pedersen, Mayor Clarke
8. General Government / Public Hearings
A. Rail Trail Project Town Hall Plan
Recommended Action: Approve the proposed town hall meeting plan and outreach strategy.
Community Development Director Herlihy presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
Nels Westman
Matt Farrell
Speaker
Paula Bradley
Kristen
Scott
Carl Siebert
Sean Shrum
Clark Cochran
Speaker
The City Council discussed the list of topics to be addressed at the town hall meeting and the possibility of reviewing the Countywide Rail Trail Project on a regular basis.
Motion to approve the proposed town hall meeting plan: Council Member Morgan Second: Council Member Orbach
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City Council Meeting Minutes – March 13, 2025
Voting Yea: Council Members Jensen, Morgan, Orbach, Vice Mayor Pedersen, Mayor Clarke
B. Public Outreach Long Term Plan for Capitola Wharf
Recommended Action: Receive report regarding the draft long term concepts for the Capitola Wharf and direct staff to proceed with public outreach in April and May 2025 utilizing the concepts.
Community Development Director Herlihy and Dan Townsend, Fuse Architecture, presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
Mick Routh
Dennis Norton
Jacques Bertrand
The City Council thanked Fuse Architecture and staff for their presentation; requested that staff engage with the youth and senior communities to obtain feedback on the proposed Wharf Long Term Plan Concepts; expressed a preference for structures to remain in the center of the Wharf to allow access to either side of the Wharf; inquired about incorporating longevity information with each concept; and requested that a “do nothing” concept be included for public feedback.
Motion to direct staff to proceed with public outreach: Council Member Orbach Second: Council Member Morgan
Voting Yea: Council Members Jensen, Morgan, Orbach, Vice Mayor Pedersen, Mayor Clarke
The City Council took a recess at 7:47 PM and reconvened at 7:52 PM.
D. Appointment of Capitola Representative to Measure Q Oversight Advisory Board Recommended Action: Appoint a member of the public to serve as Capitola’s representative on the Measure Q Citizens Oversight Advisory Board.
City Clerk Gautho presented the staff report.
Public Comments: None
Motion to appoint Scott Harway as the City’s representative to the Measure Q Oversight Advisory Board: Council Member Morgan
Second: Council Member Jensen
Voting Yea: Council Members Jensen, Morgan, Orbach, Vice Mayor Pedersen, Mayor Clarke
C. Annexation Request for 1610 Bulb Avenue
Recommended Action: Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to the Local Agency Formation Commission in support of or opposition to the annexation of 1610 Bulb Avenue into Capitola city limits.
Council Member Orbach recused herself from the item due to the proximity of her residence to the proposed annexation.
Community Development Director Herlihy presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
Drew Lander
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City Council Meeting Minutes – March 13, 2025
Vick Lawser
Donna Jensen Lewis
Brian Lewis
Caroline Cuspa
Jennifer Galiker
Jason Wagnermarsh
Tom Ginsburg
Kimberly Fry
Don Mosgard
The City Council discussed the impacts of an annexation on neighboring residents and the preference to evaluate a project proposal before supporting annexation.
Motion to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of opposition: Council Member Morgan Second: Council Member Jensen
Voting Yea: Council Members Jensen, Morgan, Vice Mayor Pedersen, Mayor Clarke Abstaining: Council Member Orbach
9. Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at 8:41 PM. The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is on March 27, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
ATTEST: Joe Clarke, Mayor
Julia Gautho, City Clerk